NZXT Lexa Blackline Case Review

Introduction:

Many decisions must be made when choosing the “right” case. It mostly depends on the application, whether it’s going to be a gaming PC or possibly a server. Maybe even slid between your television and receiver or wrapped in a slim HTPC case. And when the choice has been made, a second important aspect comes to mind, performance. Will this case perform the way I want it to? Or even perform the way its advertised?

So, let's imagine that the choice we made is the NZXT Lexa Blackline. The Blackine is the kid brother of the Award-Winning NZXT Lexa, and this model has no intention of sitting in his older brother's shadow. Not to mention that this case has also been designed to compete in one of the most competitive and heavily scrutinized markets that a case can fall under, the Gaming/Enthusiast sector. The question then remains, will the Blackline have what it takes to climb to the top of the Gaming/Enthusiast podium?

"NZXT, a company built upon gamer's dreams, is proud to announce its addition to the high-end Gaming Classic series, the Lexa Blackline Performance Steel Mid Tower Chassis. We have always wanted to design a mean looking chassis and the original Lexa was perfect for this, with new features like the pre-drilled water cooling and glossy black finish the LEXA Blackline should prove to be a great mid-range chassis for gamers."

Closer Look:

Even from the box you begin to get a real sense for what you are unwrapping. The front of the box covered by a large high-resoultion shot from an angle, with the phrases "Maximum Cooling" and "Perfect Symmetry". The back of the box features shots from both the blue, and red version of the Lexa Blackline, and details the cooling setup, expandability and media ports, along with key features.

On the side you will find a larger, more detailed list of specifications, and is translated in five languages. Upon opening the box you notice the care that is put into shipping. Large white foam blocks on the top and bottom protect it from rough transit, and the plastic bag keeps it shielded if the box is compromised.